AMDA Alumni In The News - December 4, 2020

December 04, 2020 - Alumni

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 

Kenita Miller-Hicks ’00 created and performs in The HawtPlates’ world premiere visual EP, Made Me Down: Songs for Making it Through Alive, now available on The Public Theatre’s YouTube page. Kenita will also appear in the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of Tick, Tick...Boom!

IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK

TV / FILM

Morgan McGhee ’15, Jarvis B. Manning Jr. ’06, Taylor Symone Jackson ’13, and Cassidy Ratliff ’18: 

Performed on NBC’s Rockefeller Tree Lighting special on December 2! Morgan, Jarvis and Taylor performed with Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud and Cassidy danced with Meghan Trainor. Cassidy performed on the TODAY show this week, and in the music video for Meghan Trainor’s new single “Holidays” with Earth, Wind & Fire.

Amanda Kloots ‘02:

Will join CBS’ The Talk as a full time co-host starting in January! Amanda has been a frequent guest co-host on the show over the past few months. 

WEB

J. Harrison Ghee ’09 and Charity Angel Dawson ’05:

Featured in Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The stream aired December 1 and will be available through tomorrow, December 5. 

Teddy Toye ’08 and Tim Dolan ’04:

Teddy is the guest on this week’s episode of At This Performance… S.N.O.B. (Saturday Noon on Broadway) series. Tim leads the series, available on the Broadway Up Close Instagram page. Tim created Broadway Up Close Walking Tours in 2010.

Minami Yusui ’04 and Jena VanElslander ’04:

Spoke for a YouTube live chat on November 30 called “Live Colorfully,” talking about topics including owning your story, finding your voice, and inclusivity. The conversation is available on YU-project, named after the movement that Minami created. 

Francesca Bolam ’14:

Wrote, directed and stars in the play “Untitled Monologues,” streaming as part of Rogue Theater Festival’s 2020 lineup on December 12 at 1 PM EST. Alexis Labarba ’14 and Anne Windsland ’13 will also perform in the play.

Mauricio Martinez ’99:

Stars in Rise Up: A Tectonic Cabaret, streaming free on Tectonic Theater’s YouTube page on December 9 at 7 PM EST. Mauricio, Jacob Smith ’09 and Sarah Stiles ’00 star in the new soap opera-inspired podcast ‘As The Curtain Rises.’

Sheridan Mouawad ’13, Jessica Rookeward ‘17, and Emilio Ramos ’13:

Sheridan is on the Advisory Committee for The Australian Theatre Festival, and performs alongside Jessica in the festival’s online cabaret. Emilio will perform in “Stranded.” The virtual festival takes place December 4 - 5.

Mila Jam ’02, Peppermint ’99, and Josh Drake ’11:

Joined together for “But...I Survived,” a video released on November 20 in recognition of the 2020 National Transgender Day of Remembrance. Mila and Peppermint star in the video, and Josh was Director of Photography and Editor for the powerful project.

Lillian Yves (Leeanne Rowe) ’02:

Narrated the newly released audiobooks The Spirit of Creativity: Inspirational Poems for the Creative at Heart and Veil of Shadows available on Audible. Check out more of her audiobook narrations and voice actor work here.

REGIONAL

Rachael Henry Johnson ’18:

Performs in Hollywood, Hearth & Home with Myers Dinner Theatre through December 20. In February, Rachael, Frank Ruiz ’18, Grace Andrade Bowen ‘18, and LeVane Harrington ’19 performed in A (Funny) Imagination as part of the New York Theater Festival’s Winterfest. Emily Yarmey ’18 stage managed. Rachael is currently the Resident Choreographer for Rise Above Performing Arts in Sarasota, Florida, a company she helped found. 

PODCAST

Luke Tennie ‘16: 

Is a guest on the latest episode of ITCAF Podcast. Luke plays “Solomon” in the upcoming drama Safety, based on the true story of former South Carolina Clemson Tigers safety Ray McElrathbey. The film hits Disney+ on December 11. 

Caissie Levy ’02:

Guest starred on a new episode of her brother’s podcast, Making a Living Show. Caissie teaches masterclasses for Professional Performance Prep (The Prep) on Wednesdays through mid-December. 

MUSIC / CONCERT

Will Huse ’12, Ally Mulholland ’12, and Blaire Strong ’12:

Created the band The Late Great Charlie Borski and recently signed with Mannequin Vanity Records. They released the music video for their first single, “Let’s Hit The Road,” available on all streaming platforms. They will release their first full album in early 2021.

Elliot Greer ’12:

Released his debut album Handcrafted, available on all streaming platforms. Elliot wrote, self-produced and self-recorded the 12-song album.

Grace Shih ’18:

Starred as “Ursula” in Disney in Concert: The Little Mermaid. In November, Grace performed at the National Taichung Theater (Taichung, Taiwan) with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, and at the National Theater & Concert Hall (Taipei, Taiwan) with the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra.

Jason Derulo ’06:

Released the official music video for his new single with Nuka, “Love Not War.” Janeeva Pettway ’16 performs in the music video. Jason spoke about new music and TikTok in a Zoom interview with Elvis Duran and the Morning Show.

Maya Holliday ‘15 and Derek Walton ’15:

Perform as the R&B duo Don’t Leak. They released the music video for their new song “Permanent.” Fellow alumni Andre Malcolm ‘15 and Arianne Meneses ‘15 directed, choreographed, and performed in the music video.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson ’95:

Is featured in the 10th anniversary album re-release of “The Trumpet of the Swan,” available for purchase and streaming. Jesse was a guest star on Submissions Only, now available to stream on BroadwayOnDemand.com. Jesse is also a featured performer at the Ars Nova Forever Telethon, a 24- hour live stream from December 4 - 5.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Stephanie Torns ‘07 and Alexa De Barr ’11:

Lead virtual master classes for Hilton Head Prep students rehearsing for their upcoming ‘Fall Spectacular – 2020 Virtual Cabaret.’ 

Erin Spears Ledford ‘04:

Is the teaching artist for Inside Broadway’s CASA students at PS 100X. Inside Broadway is a nonprofit that brings hands-on theatre experience to students in the classroom. Erin is a New York City-based director, performer, and teaching artist. 

Chasity Ramsey ’16:

Published her children’s book series she wrote and illustrated, The Adventures of Marlz. Chasity started developing the series while a student at AMDA. The four books are based on adventures she took in LA.

Ashley De La Rosa ‘17: 

Modeled in a featured photo spread for The Ensemblist. Ashley performs in Like After Death, a dark comedy short film streaming on All Together Now, an interactive virtual theatre space. Tickets are on sale for showings on select dates from December 4 - 17. 

Schele Williams ’91: 

TheatreWorksUSA’s newest Artistic Ambassador. Schele directed the virtual Ronald McDonald House 28th Annual Gala on November 16. Viewers can watch the event and donate to support families battling pediatric cancer through December 16.

Livia Dabarian ‘11:

Was the moderator and presenter at the Forum Internacional do Entretenimento in São Paulo, broadcasted on November 22. Livia was Resident Director of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical in Brazil. 

Jeremy Pope ’12:

Named to the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Hollywood & Entertainment. Jeremy was also featured on Out Magazine’s Out100 List for 2020, recognizing prominent members of the LGBTQ+ community for their "groundbreaking, ripple-inducing, and culture-shifting impact around the world.”